Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has set off alarm bells after revealing that she sleeps only two to four hours each night, a habit she says she shares with her political idol, Margaret Thatcher.



According to a report by the Guardian, Takaichi caused a stir last week when she called her aides to a 3 a.m. meeting in her office to get ready for a budget committee hearing scheduled six hours later.



This happened just weeks after she marked her milestone as Japan ’s first female leader by pledging to “work, work, work, work and work.”

This came amid growing public unease about Japan’s entrenched culture of overwork, a system blamed for everything from chronic exhaustion among employees to a rise in “karoshi,” or death from overwork.



Takaichi’s sleep schedule is not just a personal confession, it has drawn debate over labour policies, leadership styles, and how seriously Japan takes the idea of a work-life balance, especially coming from someone at the very top of its government.




Japanese prime minister sleep schedule has drawn criticism



Japanese workers are no strangers to long hours, but Takaichi’s minimal sleep has been criticised. At a legislative committee, Takaichi revealed, “I sleep about two hours now, four hours at the longest. I feel it’s bad for my skin,” reported the Guardian.





Takaichi’s philosophy is also visible in her rhetoric



She suggests, though, that any changes will prioritise worker health, saying, “Indeed, if we can create a situation where people can properly balance childcare and caregiving responsibilities … and also be able to work, enjoy leisure time, and relax — that would be ideal.”



However, after becoming Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president in October, she declared she would “discard the term ‘work-life balance’ for myself. I will work, work, work, work, and work.” That “work like a horse” spirit is worrying many who already struggle under Japan’s grueling working norms.








What happens if you do not get enough sleep?



For adults, research from the National Library of Medicine shows that getting about seven hours or more of sleep each night is important for good health. Consistently sleeping less than six hours can cause serious effects on the body. It’s not just about feeling tired, your whole body can be affected in many ways when you don’t get enough sleep regularly.



When you regularly sleep less than six hours, your body's control over hunger and metabolism starts to change. A major review found that sleeping only five to six hours each night can double your risk of developing pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes compared to getting seven to eight hours. Plus, studies show that shorter sleep is linked to higher body weight. One long study found people who slept less than six hours by age 27 were 7.5 times more likely to have a higher body mass index (BMI).







How to strike the right work life balance







Finding the right balance between work and personal life means setting clear work hours and sticking to them, so one can fully switch off and enjoy the free time. In order to achieve this, one must plan the day and prioritise important tasks to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Take regular breaks, unplug from work when off, and make time for relaxation and hobbies to reduce stress and feel happier. This simple mix helps one stay productive and enjoy life outside of work.